Portable Computer

ABSTRACT

A portable computer comprises a base, a display module, at least one support element and at least one sliding assembly. The base comprises a first area and a second area. The display module comprises a connect end and a display face. Each support element comprises a first end pivoted on a portion of the display module other than the display face and a second end pivoted on the rear end of the base. Each sliding assembly comprises a slide rail disposed at least in the second area and a sliding block connected with the connect end and moved along the slide rail. Each sliding block includes at least one auxiliary sliding structure for decreasing sliding friction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present relates to a portable computer, and more particularly, to aportable computer which can move a display towards a user and keep thedisplay at a tilted angle.

2. Description of the Related Art

Computing devices have become an indispensable part of our daily life.With the fast development of touch technologies, most hand-held devicesor electronic devices such as tablet PC, smart phone, and PDA nowprovide touch panels instead of mouse or keyboard as input devices,these devices are equipped with operating system supporting touchfunctions to enable intuitive and convenient operations.

As notebook PCs are usually equipped with QWERTY keyboards and touchpads for input functions and they also use operating system which doesnot support touch functions or interfaces which cannot recognize touchgestures, so few notebook PCs provide touch functions or designs in thepast. However, as software vendors are rolling out new operating systemwhich can support touch functions and people are becoming familiar withtouch gestures required to operate tablet PCs or smart phones, it is nownecessary for manufactures to provide touch functions on notebook PCs oreven transform their notebook PCs into tablet PCs. Due to a certainweight of the display, when a user opens the display to a suitable anglerelative to the base for touch operations, the display is kept in afixed position by a reactive torsion of a pivot bearing between thedisplay and the base; however, when the user touches the display, atorque generated by the applied force and the distance between the pointof applied force and the pivot bearing would cause the display tovibrate back and forth, making it inconvenient for the user to performany touch function and hard to see the display clearly. Furthermore,when the user applies too much force on the display, the display couldtopple and fall backwards without proper support, the display could bedamaged to discourage the user to perform any touch function.

Therefore, a prior art technique discloses a support arm for supportingand pivotally connecting to the display.

In prior art technique such as Taiwan patent No.I316666 (U.S. Pat. No.7,184,263B1), a portable computer uses a sheet-like support element tosupport a display and to let the display slide relative to the computerbody via guide grooves on both sides of the keyboard to stand upright.However, this design can only apply for tablet PCs which have theirdisplays faced upwards in a normal state and is not suitable fornotebook PCs which usually have their displays faced down and towards akeyboard when not in use. Therefore, the patent is designed specificallyfor tablet PCs having their display exposed outwardly and allows theuser to slide the display to a tilted angle for operations. However, thedisplay is not well protected since it is exposed in any circumstances.

In another prior art technique such as Taiwan patent No.566583, anotebook PC having its display rotatably moved relative to a base via aplurality of connecting rods to change a viewing angle for the user.However, this patent comprises complicated design which involves theoperations of pivoting, linking and sliding and various linkage elementsto work. Therefore, it is disadvantageous to assemble and to operate themechanism. Besides, with a complicated mechanism and exposed support andlinkage mechanisms on both sides of the display, it is aestheticallyunpleasant and is possible to hurt the user if the user's fingeraccidentally gets pinched between these mechanisms. Additionally, theprior art technique requires reserved spaces for disposing grooves andpivoting mechanisms on both sides of the base, and it also requireadditional spaces for disposing support elements on both sides of thedisplay case as well, so the whole thing tends to be bulky and thick,and it could sacrifice the viewable area of the display.

Therefore, it is necessary to provide a structure which can stablysupport the display and slide the display to a suitable angle for theportable computer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable computerwhich can move a display towards a user and keep the display at a tiltedangle.

To achieve the above object, a portable computer of the presentinvention comprises a base, a display module, at least one supportingelement, and at least one sliding assembly. The base, between a frontend and a rear end, comprises a first area disposed at a front side ofthe base and a second area disposed at a rear side of the base. Thedisplay module comprises a connecting end, a display face, and a supportplane opposite to the display face; each supporting element comprises afirst fixed end and a second fixed end. The first fixed end is pivotallyconnected to a portion of the display module other than the displayface, so the display module can rotate relative to the supportingelement; the second fixed end is pivotally connected to the rear side ora place adjacent to the rear end of the base, so the supporting elementcan rotate relative to the base. Each sliding assembly comprises asliding block and a slide rail. The slide rail is disposed at least inthe second area of the base. The sliding block is connected to theconnecting end of the display module and can slide along the slide rail.The sliding block comprises at least one auxiliary sliding structure toreduce friction between the sliding block and the slide rail.

Therefore, when the display module is opened and rotated to a suitableangle relative to the base via the second fixed end of the at least onesupport element, the display module further rotates around the firstfixed end with the first fixed end serving as a pivot point andsimultaneously drives the connecting end to move from the second areatowards the first area to a suitable position along with the slidingblock; and then the display module is supported by the at least onesupport element to keep a suitable tilted angle.

Through the design of the present invention, a user can turn the displaymodule relative to the base to slide the connecting end of the displaymodule towards the user to a suitable tilted angle via interactionsbetween various pivoting elements and connecting rods. The displaymodule is also supported by the at least one support element to providea better viewing or operating effect for the user. The disposition of atleast one auxiliary sliding structure can further reduce frictionbetween the sliding block and the slide rail and make the slidingoperation more smoothly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, wherein similar reference numerals denote similarelements throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of a portable computer of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a partial explosive view of a first embodiment of theportable computer of the present invention.

FIG. 3 (a) illustrates a schematic view of the first embodiment of asliding block of the portable computer of the present invention.

FIG. 3 (b) illustrates a schematic view of a second embodiment of asliding block of the portable computer of the present invention. FIG. 4illustrates a schematic view of a third embodiment of a sliding block ofthe portable computer of the present invention.

FIG. 5( a) illustrates a schematic view of a fourth embodiment of theportable computer of the present invention before combining the slidingportion to the auxiliary sliding structure.

FIG. 5 (b) illustrates a schematic view of the fourth embodiment of theportable computer of the present invention after combining the slidingportion to the auxiliary sliding structure.

FIG. 6 (a) illustrates a schematic view of a fifth embodiment of asliding block of the portable computer of the present invention.

FIG. 6 (b) illustrates a schematic view of another angle of the fifthembodiment of a sliding block of the portable computer of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7( a) illustrates a schematic view of another embodiment of a sliderail of the portable computer of the present invention.

FIG. 7( b) illustrates an operating view of another embodiment of asliding assembly of the portable computer of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic view of a sixth embodiment of a slidingblock of the portable computer of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a schematic view of a seventh embodiment of a slidingblock of the portable computer of the present invention.

FIG. 10 (a) illustrates a schematic view of a first embodiment of theportable computer of the present invention in a closed state.

FIG. 10 (b) illustrates a schematic view of the first embodiment of theportable computer of the present invention switched to an open statefrom the closed state.

FIG. 10( c) illustrates a schematic view of the first embodiment of theportable computer of the present invention in the open state.

FIG. 11( a) illustrates a schematic view of a second embodiment of theportable computer of the present invention.

FIG. 11( b) illustrates a schematic view of a third embodiment of theportable computer of the present invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates a schematic view of a fourth embodiment of theportable computer of the present invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates a schematic view of a fifth embodiment of theportable computer of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The advantages and innovative features of the invention will become moreapparent from the following detailed description of the betterembodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Please refer to both FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. FIG. 1 illustrates a schematicview of a portable computer 1 of the present invention; FIG. 2illustrates a partial explosive view of the first embodiment of theportable computer 1. In an embodiment of the present invention, theportable computer 1 is a notebook PC, but according to various types ofapplications, the portable computer 1 can be a tablet PC, a mini laptop,or other electronic devices comprising flip-top type display moduleswithout limiting the scope of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the portable computer 1 of the presentinvention comprises a base 10, a display module 20, and a supportingelement 30. Main computing components and related electronic componentsare disposed at the interior of the base 10. The top of the base 10 issegmented into a first area 15 and a second area 16 between a front end13 and a rear end 14; the first area 15 is disposed near the front end13 and the second area 16 is disposed near the rear end 14. The firstarea 15 is provided for disposing a keyboard 11 or/and other inputdevices, such as touch pad or track point, and the second area 16comprises a sliding assembly 12. In other embodiments, the slidingassembly 12 can extend forward to a part or all of the first area 15. Itis noted that the sliding assembly 12 can be disposed in a centralportion of the second area 16 or a substantially central portion of thesecond area 16.

The sliding assembly 12 comprises a sliding block 121 and a slide rail122. The sliding block 121 combines sliding and pivotally connectingfunctions. The sliding block 121 can move along the slide rail 122 toslide in the second area 16 between the rear end 14 of the base 10 andthe keyboard 11 with respect to the base 10. A slit 162 is disposed inthe center of the surface 161 of the second area 16, and the slidingassembly 12 is disposed at a position at the bottom of the second area16 corresponding to the slit 162. In other embodiments, the slidingassembly 12 can also be extended from the second area 16 to the firstarea 15, so the slit 162 is located on the surface of the second area 16and a part or all of the first area 15, and the slide rail 122 can becorrespondingly disposed below the surface of the second area 16 and thefirst area 15.

The display module 20 comprises a connecting end 21, a display face 22,a support plane 23, and a free end 24; the display face 22 is disposedopposite to the support plane 23, as the connecting end 21 is oppositeto the free end 24, and the display module 20 is pivotally connected tothe sliding block 121 at the central portion 21 a of the connecting end21 via hinges or bearing elements to form a rotatable pivot point and toenable the display module 20 to rotate relative to the sliding block121. The display module 20 can have a display screen disposed at thedisplay face 22 and supporting touch functions for receiving touchinputs from the user.

The supporting element 30 comprises a first fixed end 31 and a secondfixed end 32, and the first fixed end 31 can be pivotally connected tothe support plane 23 of the display module 20 via hinges to form arotatable pivot point and so that the display module 20 is able torotate relative to the supporting element 30; the second fixed end 32can be pivotally connected to the rear end 14 of the base 10 via hingesto form another rotatable pivot point and so that the supporting element30 is able to rotate relative to the base 10.

As shown in FIG. 2, in an embodiment of the present invention, thesliding block 121 of the sliding assembly 12 comprises a pivotingportion 1211, a sliding portion 1212, and a connecting portion 1213; theconnecting end 21 of the display module 20 is rotatably pivoted to thesliding block 121 via the pivoting portion 1211. For instance, thepivoting portion 1211 can be a hinge element without torsion and can berotated simply by a pin; or the pivoting portion 1211 can be a hingeelement conventionally disposed between the display module and the baseof a laptop and capable of generating torsion or suitable rotationfriction. The sliding portion 1212 is connected to the pivoting portion1211 via the connecting portion 1213; and the slide rail 122 of thesliding assembly 12 is provided for disposing the sliding portion 1212of the sliding block 121. In this embodiment, the slide rail 122 is agroove-like structure, and the sliding portion 1212 is a block structurehaving its size fitted to the slide rail 122, so the sliding portion1212 can slide within the slide rail 122. However, the present inventionis not limited thereto. Additionally, according to different designrequirements, the sliding portion 1212 further comprises at least onepositioning portion 1215, such as a grooved is point. The positioningelement (not shown, such as a convex spot) disposed by means of thepositioning portion 1215 together with the slide rail 122, provides apositioning effect when the sliding block 121 slides to a certain spot.

To comply with the consistency and the sense of design of the portabledevice 1, the slide rail 122 of the sliding assembly 12 is disposedbelow the surface 161 of the second area 16 of the base 10 andcorresponds to the position of the slit 162 to be a hidden disposition.The structure of the sliding block 121 of the sliding assembly 12corresponds to the slit 162 of the base surface 161 of the base 10 sothat a width of the slit 162 is smaller than the sliding portion 1212and not smaller than a thickness of the connecting portion 1213.However, the width of the slit 162 can be smaller than the thickness ofthe connecting portion 1213 if stretchable material, such as flannel, isused as the structure of the slit 162. Thereby, the connecting portion1213 of the sliding block 121 can go through and move along the slit162, and allows the pivoting portion 1211 to protrude out of the surface161 of the base 10, so that the connecting end 21 of the display module20 and the exposed pivoting portion 1211 can be pivotally connected toeach other. With this design, apart from the exposed pivoting portion1211 of the sliding block 121 and a part of the connecting portion 1213,the other portion of the sliding block 121 and the slide rail 122 can behidden below the surface 161 of the base 10. The exposed pivotingportion 1211 and the surface 161 of the base 10 are kept apart for acertain distance with the exposed partial connecting portion 1213, sothat the display module 20 pivotally connected to the pivoting portion1211 can rotate smoothly without being interfered by the base 10.Therefore, the design of the present invention can provide an overallaesthetic appearance, and cannot affect the operations between thesliding block 121 and the display module 20.

Please refer to both FIG. 3( a) and FIG. 3( b). FIG. 3( a) illustrates aschematic view of the first embodiment of a sliding block 121 of theportable computer in the present invention; FIG. 3( b) illustrates aschematic view of the second embodiment of a sliding block 121 a of theportable computer in the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG.3( a), to increase smoothness and stability of the operation of thesliding block 121 while moving along the slide rail 122, it is designedthat the sliding portion 1212 of the sliding block 121 comprises atleast one auxiliary sliding structure 1214 to reduce the frictionbetween the sliding portion 1212 and the inner wall of the slide rail122 as it travels in the slide rail 122. Combining the above twoembodiments, the auxiliary sliding structure 1214 of the sliding portion1212 is at least one convex-like structure which is disposed at theouter surface of the sliding portion 1212 (the portion contacted withthe inner wall of the slide rail 122, such as the top or bottom surfaceof the sliding portion 1212.) for reducing the contact area between thesliding portion 1212 and slide rail 122. Such as the first embodiment ofFIG. 3( a), each auxiliary sliding structure 1214 uses a convex-likestrip structure, so only plural line contacts can be formed between thesliding portion 1212 and slide rail is 122 to reduce significantly thecontact area between the sliding portion 1212 and the slide rail 122.The second embodiment of FIG. 3( b) is a variation of the firstembodiment mentioned previously. As shown in FIG. 3( b), each auxiliarysliding structure 1214 a of the sliding portion 1212 a is replaced witha convex spot structure, so only plural point contacts can be formedbetween the sliding portion 1212 a of the sliding block 121 a and theslide rail 122, to further reduce the contact area between the slidingportion 1212 a and the slide rail 122. However, the type of theconvex-like structure mentioned in the present invention is not limitedto the embodiments previously mentioned.

Please refer to FIG. 4 for a schematic view of the third embodiment of asliding block 121 b of the portable computer 1 of the present invention.This embodiment is a variation of the first embodiment previouslymentioned. As shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, the at least oneauxiliary sliding structure 1214 b of the sliding portion 1212 b is ofat least one sheet-like structure with a smooth surface. Each auxiliarysliding structure 1214 b is disposed at the outer surface of the slidingportion 1212 b, to form a wear-resistant and smooth flat surface via thematerial characteristics of each sheet-like structure. For instance,after cutting proper size of a thin sheet of Teflon and pasting it tothe top and bottom surface of the sliding portion 1212 b, only pluralplane contacts with small areas can be formed between the slidingportion 1212 b of the sliding block 121 b and slide rail 122. The atleast one auxiliary sliding structures 1214 b reduces the size of theoriginal contact area between the sliding portion 1212 d and slide rail122 and the friction between the sliding portion 1212 b and the sliderail 122 as the sliding portion 1212 b travels. The material of thesheet-like structure mentioned previously can be any material with thecharacteristics of smoothness and wear-resistance. It is not limited tothe present embodiment.

Please refer to FIG. 5( a) and FIG. 5( b). FIG. 5( a) illustrates aschematic view of the fourth embodiment of the portable computer in thepresent invention before combining a sliding portion 1212 c to aauxiliary sliding structure 1214 c; FIG. 5( b) illustrates a schematicview of the fourth embodiment of the portable computer of the presentinvention after combining a sliding portion 1212 c to a auxiliarysliding structure 1214 c. As shown in FIG. 5( a) and FIG. 5( b), in thepresent embodiment, the at least one auxiliary sliding structure 1214 cof the sliding portion 1212 c is of a bush structure with a receivingspace corresponding to the sliding portion 1212 c. The bush structure ismade of material of wear-resisting and friction-reducingcharacteristics. For example, POM or similar material is used to reducethe friction as the sliding portion 1212 c travels while contactingslide rail 122. Under the condition of applying the bush structure, thesliding block 121 c itself can be made of a metal or other material thathas high mechanical strength to increase the hardness of the structure.However, it is not limited to the present embodiment.

Please refer to FIG. 6( a) and FIG. 6( b). FIG. 6( a) illustrates aschematic view of the fifth embodiment of a sliding block 121 d of theportable computer in the present invention; FIG. 6( b) illustrates aschematic view of another angle of the fifth embodiment of a slidingblock 121 d of the portable computer in the present invention. As shownin FIG. 6( a) and FIG. 6( b), in the present embodiment, the at leastone auxiliary sliding structure 1214 d of the sliding portion 1212 d isof a groove-like structure, and disposed at the outer surface of thesliding portion 1212 d (the portion that will contact with the innerwall of the slide rail, for example, the top and bottom surface of thesliding portion 1212 d.). Each groove-like structure can storelubricating material, such as liquid or gel lubricant to providelubricating effect of the sliding portion 1212 d and to reduce thefriction as the sliding portion 1212 d travels on the slide rail. Thetype of the groove-like structure and the material with thecharacteristics of the lubricant is not limited to the presentembodiment.

Please refer to FIG. 7( a) and FIG. 7( b). FIG. 7( a) illustrates aschematic view of another embodiment of a slide rail 122 e of theportable computer of the present invention; FIG. 7( b) illustrates anoperating view of another embodiment of a sliding assembly 12 e of theportable computer of the present invention. This embodiment is avariation of the first embodiment previously mentioned, and the designof the slide rail 122 e in this embodiment can be matched with the useof the sliding block in each embodiment mentioned previously, forexample, the sliding block 121 of the first embodiment. It is noted thatthe slide rail 122 e in FIG. 7( a) and FIG. 7( b) is disposed below thesurface of the base (not shown), but the base and its surface is notillustrated in the figures for clearly showing the operation of thesliding assembly 12 e.

As shown in FIG. 7( a), in this embodiment, the sliding assembly 12 efurther comprises at least one positioning element 123. Each positioningelement 123 has at least one positioning structure 1231, such as aconvex-like spot or interfering element, and the positioning element 123provides the elastic positioning function by means of disposing theelastic structure 1232 or the elasticity of the positioning element 123.Each positioning element 123 is disposed at a corresponding fixed pointon the slide rail 122 e and the position of the fixed point is based onthe tilted angle of the display module as the display module slides withthe sliding block. An opening 1221 can be disposed in the slide rail 122e corresponding to the corresponding fixed point. The positioningstructures 1231 of the positioning element 123 can pass through theopenings 1221 of the slide rail 122 e and protrude into the slide rail122 e.

As shown in FIG. 7( b), the sliding portion 1212 of the sliding block121 can slide within the slide rail 122 e. When the sliding portion 1212slides to any fixed point disposed with the positioning element 123, thesliding portion 1212 can achieve the positioning effect via theinteractive interference of its own positioning portion 1215 and thepositioning structure 1231 of the positioning element 123. And with thedisposition of the elasticity structure, each positioning element 123can return to the original condition after the passing or departure ofthe sliding portion 1212. Accordingly, the positioning function can beprovided by any fixed point at which the display module slides with thesliding block 121 on the slide rail 122 e.

Please refer to FIG. 8, which is the illustration of a schematic view ofthe sixth embodiment of a sliding block 121 e of the portable computerof the present invention. The present embodiment is a variation of thefirst embodiment mentioned previously. It is noted that the structuresand the operations of the present embodiment can be applied to thesliding blocks in the other embodiments mentioned previously and is notlimited to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 8, in this embodiment, the connecting portion 1213 eand the sliding portion 1212 e of the sliding block 121 e are pivotallyconnected to form a rotatable pivoted point, so that the connectingportion 1213 e can rotate corresponding to the sliding portion 1212 e.One end of the connecting portion 1213 e is pivotally connected to thedisplay module 20 by the pivoting portion 1211 e, and another end of theconnecting portion 1213 e is pivotally connected to the sliding portion1212 e. When the display module 20 is forced to rotate, by the design ofthe double pivots of combining the connecting portion 1213 e and thepivoting portion 1211 e, the moment arm of the dragged sliding portion1212 e can be reduced, and the sliding smoothness and the stability ofthe sliding block 121 e can be increased.

Please refer to FIG. 9, which illustrates a schematic view of theseventh embodiment of the sliding block 121 f of the portable computerof the present invention. The embodiment is a variation of the sixthembodiment mentioned previously. Please note that the structures and theoperations of the embodiment can be applied to the sliding blocks in theother embodiments mentioned previously and is not limited to the presentembodiment.

As shown in FIG. 9, in this embodiment, the connecting portion 1213 f ofthe sliding block 121 f is not only pivotally connected to the slidingportion 1212 f, but the connecting portion 1213 f further comprises anextendable structure 1216. With the disposition of the extendablestructure 1216, the length of the connecting portion 1213 f can beadjusted. In addition to reducing the moment arm of the sliding portion1212 f as it is dragged, the distance between the display module 20 andthe surface of the base can be increased after extending the length ofthe connecting portion 1213 f by the extendable structure 1216. It canalso avoid the interference generated between the display module 20 andthe base. Furthermore, the extendable structure 1216 can also comprisean elastic member such as a spring to provide the extendable structure1216 with the elastic buffer function, which further enhances thesliding smoothness and stability of the sliding block 121 f.

Please refer to FIG. 10( a), FIG. 10( b), and FIG. 10( c). FIG. 10( a)illustrates a schematic view of the first embodiment of the portablecomputer 1 in a closed state; FIG. 10( b) illustrates a schematic viewof the first embodiment of the portable computer 1 switched from theclosed state to an open state; and FIG. 10( c) illustrates a view of thefirst embodiment of the portable computer in the open state. Please notethat the structures and the operations of the portable computer 1 of thepresent invention are illustrated by the first embodiment of the presentinvention, but other embodiments of the present invention can be appliedto execute the same operations; and it is not limited to the presentembodiment.

As shown in FIG. 10( a), when the portable computer 1 is in a closedstate, the display module 20 overlaps with the base 10 and is pivotallyconnected to the sliding block 121 via the connecting end 21, at thistime the display face 22 of the display module 20 is facing the base 10;the support element 30 also overlaps with the display module 20 and ispivotally connected to the rear end 14 of the base 10 and the displaymodule 20 via the first fixed end 31 and the second fixed end 32respectively. In this embodiment, when the portable computer 1 is in theclosed state, the connecting end 21 of the display module 20 and thesecond fixed end 32 of the support element 30 are on different axessubstantially parallel with each other, and the length of the supportelement 30 is longer than the distance between the connecting end 21 ofthe display module 20 and the first fixed end 31 of the support element30. However, based on different design requirements, the portablecomputer 1, while in the closed state, can have the connecting end 21 ofthe display module 20 and the second fixed end 32 of the support element30 on the same axis to let the support element 30 have a same length asthe distance between the connecting end 21 of the display module 20 andthe first fixed end 31 of the support element 30.

As shown in FIG. 10( b), when the user exerts a force on the free end 24opposite to the connecting end 21 of the display module 20 to try toopen the display module 20, at first the display module 20 rotates alongwith the support element 30 relative to the base 10 with the secondfixed end 32 serving as a pivot point; after the display module 20rotates to a certain angle, since the support element 30 has its lengthnot smaller than the distance between the connecting end 21 of thedisplay module 20 and the first fixed end 31 of the support element 30,so the display module 20 can rotate relative to the support element 30with the first fixed end 31 of the support element 30 serving as thepivot point; meanwhile, the display module 20 can rotate relative to thesliding block 121 with the connecting end 21 serving as the pivot point;and the sliding block 121 will drive the connecting end 21 of thedisplay module 20 to slide from the second area 16 towards the firstarea 15.

As shown in FIG. 10( c), when the display module 20 continues to rotatewith the first fixed end 31 of the support element 30 serving as thepivot point, and the sliding block 121 drives the connecting end 21 ofthe display module 20 to slide towards the first area 15 to a suitableposition (such as the end of the slide rail 122), then the portablecomputer 1 is in an open state. At this time the display module 20 hasrotated to a suitable angle relative to the base 10, with the displayplace 22 of the display module 20 facing the user. The display module 20is supported by the support element 30 to form a tilted angle relativeto the base 10.

On the other hand, when the user tries to close the portable computer 1,the user can pull the free end 24 of the display module 20 so that thedisplay module 20 is able to rotate around the first fixed end 31 of thesupport element 30 with the first fixed end 31 serving as the pivotpoint; wherein the connecting end 21 will be driven by the sliding block121 to slide towards the rear end 14 of the base 10 until it slides tothe other end of the slide rail 122, at this time the display module 20rotates around the second fixed end 32 of the support element 30 toreturn to the closed state.

Therefore, the portable computer 1 only needs to use the slidingassembly 12 disposed at the central position to complete opening/closingfunctions for the display module without using any complicated linkageelements or structures, thereby reducing the number of required elementsand further shrinking the size of the portable computer 1. Besides, thesliding assembly 12 is hidden below the slit 162 of the second area 16to let the display module 20 stay close to the surface 161 of the secondarea 16, so the portable computer 1 looks integrated and consistent andeliminates the possibility of hurting the user's finger duringopening/closing operations.

Specifically, in the embodiments, the sliding assembly 12 is disposed inthe central position of the portable computer 1 and does not take upspaces on both sides of the base 10 and the display module 20. With thisdesign, the user can use only one hand to hold the middle of the freeend 24 of the display module 20, which corresponds to the position ofthe sliding assembly 12, to flip or slide the display module 20smoothly. During this process, the display module 20 can maintain astable sliding movement to facilitate operations. Furthermore, the usercan initiate the opening process by flipping the display module 20 tolet the display module 20 slide to a fixed position automatically,wherein the display module 20 is supported by the support element 30 tokeep stable without shaking when the user perform touch operations onthe display module 20.

In the previous embodiments, each portable computer 1 comprises a singlesupport element 30 disposed at a central position relative to a slidingassembly 12 to achieve the object of the present invention. However, thepresent invention can have other implementations depending on differentuser requirements, effects, and mechanism designs, such the number ofthe elements, the placement of the elements, and variations of the size,etc. should be view as included in the scope of the present invention.Please note that the sliding block structures using in each of belowembodiments of the portable computer is illustrated by the sliding block121 of the sliding assembly 12 of the first embodiment of the presentinvention, but the sliding block 121 can be by any other sliding block121 a, 121 b, 121 c, 121 d, 121 e, 121 f or similar structures; and itis not limited to the present embodiment.

For example, please refer to both FIG. 11( a) and FIG. 11( b). FIG. 11(a) illustrates a schematic view of a second embodiment of the portablecomputer 1 a of the present invention; FIG. 11( b) illustrates aschematic view of a third embodiment of the portable computer 1 b of thepresent invention. Alternatively, the portable computer can use morethan one support element to support and stabilize the display module,wherein the support elements can be disposed at various positions. Asshown in FIG. 11( a), in this embodiment, the portable computer 1 acomprises two support elements 30 a arranged in parallel and disposed attwo sides of the central sliding assembly 12 respectively to form asymmetrical structure. Each support element 30 a has its one endpivotally connected to a plane of the display module 20 a other than thedisplay face, and the other end pivotally connected to the rear end ofthe base. By adding additional support elements (point of support), thepresent invention can stably support the display module 20 a in asliding movement when it is opening or closing.

Also as shown in FIG. 11( b), this embodiment is a variation of theprevious embodiment, wherein the portable computer 1 b comprises twosupport elements 30 b disposed at two opposite sides near the rear end,the support elements 30 b are formed in a long stick-like shape andimplemented as connecting rods for reducing the installation space andsimplifying the assembling work, thereby enhancing the operations of thedisplay module 20 b. However, in other embodiments, the presentinvention can have various implementations for a plurality of supportelements.

Please refer to FIG. 12 for a schematic view of a fourth embodiment ofthe portable computer 1 c of the present invention. Alternatively, inaddition to different implementation for the support element, thepresent invention can also adjust the position of the sliding assembly,the number and positions of slits in the surface of the base to providevarious functions. As shown in FIG. 12, in this embodiment, the portablecomputer 1 c comprises two sliding assemblies 12 disposed at two sidesof a single support element 30 c respectively, and two slits 162 cdisposed at the base 10 e to correspond to the two sliding assemblies12, wherein the two sliding assemblies 12 and the two slits 162 c formsa parallel symmetric structure. Therefore, when the display module 20 cis opening or closing, the two sliding assemblies 12 can help tostabilize the sliding movement of the display module 20 c.

Those who skilled in the art can easily know that the three embodimentsshown in FIG. 11( a) to FIG. 12 can be further combined to form aportable computer which comprises two support elements and two slidingassemblies, therefore, it will not be described in detail.

Please refer to FIG. 13 for a schematic view of a fifth embodiment ofthe portable computer 1 d of the present invention. The moving distanceof the sliding assembly and the length of the corresponding slit can beadjusted according to various design needs. As shown in FIG. 13, in thisembodiment, the sliding assembly 12 of the portable computer 1 d and acorresponding slit 162 d extend from a second area 16 d of a base 10 dto a first area 15 d of the base 10 d for extending a sliding distanceof a display module 20 d and increasing a range of the tilted angle ofthe is display module 20 d. Even more, the display module 20 d could lieflat on the base 10 d to enhance versatility and capability of theportable computer 1 d. Based on applications and user requirements, thesliding assembly 12 and the corresponding slit 162 d can choose toextend to a part or all (that is, approaching the position of a firstend 13 d) of the first area 15 d; and the extended slit can have anycharacteristics shown in FIG. 11( a) to FIG. 12 or their combination.

It is noted that the above-mentioned embodiments are only forillustration. It is intended that the present invention covermodifications and variations of this invention provided they fall withinthe scope of the following claims and their equivalents. Therefore, itwill be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modificationsand variations can be made to the structure of the present inventionwithout departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable computer, comprising: a basecomprising, between a front end and a rear end, a first area disposed ata front side of the base and a second area disposed at a rear side ofthe base; a display module which comprising a connecting end, a displayface, and a support plane opposite to the display face; and at least onesupporting element, each supporting element comprising a first fixed endand a second fixed end, the first fixed end being pivotally connected toa portion of the display module other than the display face so that thedisplay module is able to rotate relative to the supporting element; thesecond fixed end being pivotally connected to the rear end of the baseor a proximity of the rear end of the base so that the supportingelement is able to rotate relative to the base; and at least one slidingassembly, each sliding assembly comprising a sliding block and a sliderail, the slide rail being disposed at least in the second area of thebase, the sliding block being connected with the connecting end of thedisplay module and sliding along the slide rail, wherein the slidingblock comprises at least one auxiliary sliding structure to reducefriction between the sliding block and the slide rail; whereby, when thedisplay module is opened and rotated to a suitable angle relative to thebase via the second fixed end of the support element, the display modulefurther rotates around the first fixed end with the first fixed endserving as a pivot point and simultaneously drives the connecting end tomove from the second area towards the first area to a suitable positionalong with the sliding element; and then the display module is supportedby the support element to keep a suitable tilted angle.
 2. The portablecomputer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first area is disposed witha keyboard.
 3. The portable computer as claimed in claim 1, wherein thesupporting element has a length not smaller than a distance between theconnecting end of the display module and the first fixed end of thesupporting element.
 4. The portable computer as claimed in claim 1,wherein the sliding block further comprises a pivoting portion, asliding portion, and a connecting portion, the sliding portion isconnected to the pivoting portion via the connecting portion, and theconnecting end of the display module is pivotally connected to thesliding block via the pivoting portion; the sliding portion is disposedwithin the slide rail and the at least one auxiliary sliding structureis disposed on the sliding portion.
 5. The portable computer as claimedin claim 4, wherein the base further comprises a surface having a slit;the slide rail is disposed below the surface, and the connecting portionof the sliding block goes through the slit so that the pivoting portionand a portion of the connecting portion protrude out of the surface; theslit has a width smaller than that of the sliding portion.
 6. Theportable computer as claimed in claim 5, wherein the pivoting portionand the surface of the base are spaced apart by a spacing.
 7. Theportable computer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the auxiliary slidingstructure is at least one convex-like structure disposed at the outersurface of the sliding portion to reduce the contact area between thesliding portion and the slide rail.
 8. The portable computer as claimedin claim 7, wherein the convex-like structure is a convex spot or aconvex strip.
 9. The portable computer as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe auxiliary sliding structure is at least one groove-like structuredisposed at the outer surface of the sliding portion, and eachgroove-like structure stores a material with the characteristic oflubricity to reduce the friction between the sliding portion and theslide rail.
 10. The portable computer as claimed in claim 1, wherein theauxiliary sliding structure is a bush-like structure disposed at theouter surface of the sliding portion, and the bush-like structure ismade of a material with the characteristic of lubricity to reduce thefriction between the sliding portion and the slide rail.
 11. Theportable computer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the auxiliary slidingstructure is at least a sheet-like structure with a flat surfacedisposed at the outer surface of the sliding portion to reduce thefriction between the sliding portion and the slide rail.
 12. Theportable computer as claimed in claim 4, wherein the sliding assemblyfurther comprises at least one positioning element, each positioningelement is disposed at a fixed point in the slide rail, and the slidingportion further comprises a positioning portion, a positioning effectcan be provided via the interference of each positioning element and thepositioning portion as the sliding block slides to the fixed point. 13.The portable computer as claimed in claim 12, wherein the positioningelement comprises at least one positioning structure, and the slide railcomprises at least one hole disposed corresponding to the position ofthe fixed point; the positioning structure of the positioning elementcan pass through the hole and be protruded in the slide rail, so thesliding portion can be positioned by the interference of the positioningportion of the sliding portion and the positioning structure.
 14. Theportable computer as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the display moduleoverlaps with the base in a closed state, the connecting end of thedisplay module and the second fixed end of the supporting element remainon the same axis.
 15. The portable computer as claimed in claim 1,wherein when the display module overlaps with the base in a closedstate, the connecting end of the display module and the second fixed endof the supporting element are respectively on different axessubstantially parallel with each other.
 16. The portable computer asclaimed in claim 4, wherein the connecting portion and the slidingportion are pivotally connected with each other.
 17. The portablecomputer as claimed in claim 4, wherein the connecting portion comprisesan extendable structure and a length of the connecting portion can beadjusted via the extendable structure.
 18. The portable computer asclaimed in claim 5, wherein the surface having the slit corresponds tothe second area; and the slide rail is disposed correspondingly belowthe surface of the second area corresponding to the slit.
 19. Theportable computer as claimed in claim 5, wherein the surface having theslit comprises the second area and at least part of or all of the firstarea; and the slide rail is disposed correspondingly below the surfacecomprising the second area and at least part of or all of the firstarea.
 20. The portable computer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the atleast one supporting element comprises two support elements arranged inparallel.
 21. The portable computer as claimed in claim 1, wherein theat least one sliding assembly comprises two sliding assemblies parallelto each other and spaced apart, the two slide rails are disposed inparallel at least in the second area, and each sliding block isrespectively and pivotally connected to the connecting end of thedisplay module corresponding to each slide rail.
 22. The portablecomputer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one slidingassembly comprises a single sliding assembly disposed at the centralposition of at least the second area of the base; the slide rail isdisposed at the central position of at least the second area of thebase, and the sliding block is correspondingly disposed at the centralposition of the connecting end of the display module.
 23. The portablecomputer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sliding block is rotatablyand pivotally connected with the connecting end of the display module.